CONVICTED (2022) | wildlife killers Dale Rickerby, born 23 June 1994, and Michael James Rickerby, born 24 March 1990, of 68 Warnell Drive, Carlisle CA1 3LR – used a shovel to “bludgeon” a badger before tossing the terrified animal to their dogs. Mike Rickerby (left) and brother Dale Rickerby The horrific badger baiting incident, which took place in October 2021 in Holme Lane near the village of Aglionby in Cumbria, was conducted primarily by Dale Rickerby, but he was assisted by his older brother Michael James Rickerby, The brothers denied any wrong-doing despite evidence that they had dug a deep hole to give their dog access to the badger in its sett. Dale Rickerby said the pair were in the area “legally” hunting for rabbits when they happened to see the badger which then attacked their bull lurcher, Bronson. He claimed to have used the shovel on the badger to “protect” the dog. The court didn’t believe them, however, and the brothers were convicted of “wilfully killing a badger” following a one-day trial. Dale Rickerby was also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to Bronson by setting him on a badger and of failing to ensure the dog’s welfare. He did this by failing to take reasonable steps to protect the dog from pain, suffering and injury in his encounters with other animals. Mike Rickerby Both men were represented by Clive Rees, who said that his clients were fathers to young children and represented a “low risk” of reoffending. Passing sentence, District Judge Temperley first addressed Dale Rickerby, telling him: “You will remember that at the conclusion of the trial I found that you were primarily responsible, not only for the death of the badger; but also for the significant injury caused to your own dog Bronson.” When the badger had emerged from the “man-made” hole that exposed its sett, Dale Rickerby “bludgeoned it over the head with the spade,” said the judge. The defendant then tossed the dazed animal to the dogs. The judge said a background Probation Service report showed clearly that Dale Rickerby did not accept the court’s guilty verdict. The judge jailed the defendant for 20 weeks. He also imposed an order transferring ownership of Bronson to the RSPCA. Dale Rickerby will be banned from owning or looking after any animal for five years. When released, he must pay £500 prosecution costs. Turning to Michael Rickerby, the judge said he had “encouraged and aided” his brother, with this including him driving another member of the group away from the scene with some of the dogs they had brought. The judge imposed 12 weeks jail, suspended for a year. Michael Rickerby must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 prosecution costs. He was banned from owning or caring for any dog for five years. Members of the defendants’ family were in court to support them. After the trial, RSPCA inspector Ian Muttitt, from the charity’s northern Special Operations Unit, said both the dog and the badger suffered horrifically. “The dog was significantly injured; basically, the skin from the bottom of its jaw was ripped off,” he said. “But police spotted the two males in the car quickly and luckily the dog was taken to the vets straight away and treated. It’s made a full recovery. But often they don’t receive veterinary treatment.” Sentencing | Dale Rickerby: 20 weeks in jail; £500 towards costs. Banned from owning or looking after any animal for five years (expires December 2027). Michael Rickerby: 12 weeks in jail suspended for one year; 200 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 prosecution costs. Banned from owning or caring for any dog for five years (expires December 2027). Westmoreland Gazette Additional Information In February 2022 Dale Rickerby was given a eight-week curfew and 18-month driving ban after being caught driving with cannabis and cocaine in his system. Rickerby’s VW Golf was stopped by police who were in the area investigating suspected badger baiting. Rickerby, who at the time was working as a mobile cleaner, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit for both illegal drugs. The court heard that Rickerby had previous convictions for possessing amphetamine and cannabis. The curfew will be served at a property in Tindale Drive, Harraby, and not the Warnell Drive address.